^535 O^S, 

/^^r/c u/iure 

C/ re a /or 
A/a30 



Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics 

United States Department of Agriculture and State 
Agricultural Colleges, Cooperating 



ORGANIZATION OF A COUNTY FOR EXTENSION 
WORK— THE FARM-BUREAU PLAN 



L. R. SIMONS 

Agriculturist, County- Agent Work 



"The County Farm Bureau is the best agency thus far de- 
vised for insuring the interest and cooperation of a rural people 
in the great work of food production and conservation. Through 
this organization the College and Department not only may ex- 
fend their help, but it affords a ready opportunity for the ex- 
pression by farmers of what help is needed to make the farm 
business more prosperous and rural life more enjoyable." 

Clarence Ousley, 

Assistant Secretary. 



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 30 



Contribution from the States Relations Service 

( OfGce of Extension Work North and West ) 

A. C. TRUE, Director 



Washington, D. C. 



May, 1919 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1910 



MmmogTB.'fiL 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction ^ 

Purposes of the farm bureau 4 

Development of the farm bureau 5 

Chief features of the organization plan 5 

Details of the plan 7 

Membership 7 

Farm-bureau program of work 8 

Officers 11 

Executive committee 11 

Community committees 13 

County project committees 1<> 

How to organize a county 16 

Leader of organization campaign 16 

Appointment of temporary county organization committee 17 

Newspaper publicity 17 

Meeting of county committee 17 

Organization of temporary community committees 18 

Community organization meetings 18 

Farm-to-farm organization campaign 19 

Invitation to county -wide organization meeting 19 

County-wide organization meeting 19 

Development of permanent county organization 19 

Executive committee meetings 19 

Organization and meetings of permanent community committees 20 

Project committee meetings 20 

How to expand a farm bureau having only an agricultural program to include 

home demonstration and boys ' and girls ' club work 20 

Organization assistance available at the State agricultural college 21 

Suggestive constitution and by-laws 23 

(2) 



NOV 1 1 1933 

0»v»SK>W Of OOCWOfTB 



J 






ORGANIZATION OF A COUNTY FOR EXTENSION 
WORK— THE FARM-BUREAU PLAN. 



[This circular is a revision of Office of Extension Work North and West, Cir- 
cular 4, " Farm-Bureau Organization Plan," and embraces the most recent 
developments in county organization for extension work. Features of special 
importance are (1) the organization of the executive committee around a 
program of work, (2) emphasis on project and community committees, 
and (3) the general broadening of the plan of organization to include all 
extension work in agriculture and home economics. The circular brings 
together the best experiences of successful organizers during the period of the 
farm bureau's greatest development. It presents a minimum of theory and a 
maximum of experience, and is especially addressed to farm-bureau commit- 
teemen, State-project leaders, and others interested in the better organization 
and execution of a program of work in agriculture and home economics. — 
W. A. Lloyd, Agriculturist in Charge, County-Agent Work.^ 

INTRODUCTION. 

Experience has shown that a unit smaller than the State is needed 
for aiding the United States Department of Agriculture and the 
State colleges of agriculture in disseminating the practical results of 
their research work among rural people. 

That unit would seem to be the county. 

Recent Federal and State laws have made available to the State 
agricultural colleges and United States Department of Agriculture 
greatly increased funds for cooperation with agricultural counties in 
carrying on extension work in agriculture and home economics. 
Under the provision of these laws and appropriations cooperation in 
extension work has been established with more than two-thirds of the 
counties of the United States. Various forms of county organiza- 
tions prevail. The essential thing is an organization competent to 
study local needs and to carry on by the demonstration method exten- 
sion work in every phase of agriculture and home economics necessary 
to meet those needs. 

The county organization described herein, and commonly known 
as the farm bureau, is believed to meet these requirements of an effec- 
tive county extension organization to an unusual degree if properly 
organized. To avoid confusion only the organization features of the 
farm bureau are discussed in this circular. 

(3) 



PURPOSES OF THE FARM BUREAU. 

A county farm bureau is an association of people interested in 
rural affairs, which has for its object the development in a county of 
the most profitable and permanent system of agriculture, the estab- 
lishment of community ideals, and the furtherance of the well-being, 
prosperity, and happiness of the rural people, through cooperation 
with local, State, and National agencies in the development and 
execution of a program of extension work in agriculture and home 
economics. 

At the outset acknowledgment should be made of the excellent 
work already accomplished by many farmers' organizations. Thou- 
sands of cooperative agricultural associations, farmers' clubs, granges, 
equities, gleaners, and other secret and nonsecret organizations are 
working together successfully for the betterment of rural conditions. 
The county farm bureau aims to coordinate and correlate the work of 
all these organizations, thereby unifying and strengthening the work 
they are doing. It does not supplant or compete with any existing 
organization, but establishes a bureau through which all may increase 
their usefulness through more direct contact with each other and 
with State and National institutions without in any way surrender- 
ing their individuality. It is a nonpolitical, nonsectarian, nonsecret 
organization representing the whole farming population, men, 
women, and children, and as such it acts as a clearing house for every 
association interested in work with rural people. 

While the original conception of the farm bureau was to develop 
county-agent work, it soon filled a broader field and it is now rapidly 
coming to be recognized as the official rural organization for the pro- 
motion of all that pertains to a better and more prosperous rural 
life. It cooperates directly with the State and the Federal Govern- 
ment in the employment of county agents, home-demonstration 
agents, boys' and girls' club leaders, and other local extension Avork- 
ers. The services of the farm bureau are availal)le to all extension 
agencies desiring to work within the county. It is quite as much 
interested in home-economics demonstrations, boys' and girls' club 
work, farm-management demonstrations, and the work of the various 
institutional specialists as it is in the demonstrations carried on 
directly by the county agent. Thus while an outgrowth of county- 
agent work it has become broader than county-agent work, and is now 
the federating agency through which all groups of rural people, 
whether organized or unorganized, are able to secure a hearing. 

The primary purposes of the farm bureau are : 

1. To encourage self-help through developing and exercising lead- 
ership in the rural affairs of each community. 

2. To reveal to all the people of the county the agricultural possi- 
bilities of the county and how they may be realized. 



3. To furnish the means whereby the agricultural problems of the 
county and the problems of the farm home may be systematically 
studied and their solution attempted through a county program of 
work to secure the well-being, prosperity, and happiness of all rural 
people, 

4. To coordinate the efforts of existing rural agricultural forces, 
organized or unorganized, and to promote new lines of effort. 

5. To bring to the agents representing the organization, the State 
agricultural college, and the Federal Department of Agriculture the 
counsel and advice of the best people in the county as to what ought 
to be done and how to do it. 

6. To furnish the necessary local machinery for easily and quickly 
supplying every community in the county with information of value 
to that community or to the county as a whole. 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE FARM BUREAU. 

From July 1, 1917, to June 30, 1918, there was a rapid development 
in the organization of farm bureaus in practically every State in the 
North and West. Eight additional States definitely adopted the 
fundamental principles of the farm-bureau plan malring a total of 
29 out of the 33 Northern and Western States now (July 1, 1918) 
having farm bureaus in either all or a part of their counties. On 
December 1, 1916, there were 287 farm bureaus with a membership of 
98,654. On December 1, 1917, there were 384 farm bureaus with a 
membership of 161,391. On June 30, 1918, there were 791 farm 
bureaus, with a membership of 290,000. 

CHIEF FEATURES OF THE ORGANIZATION PLAN. 

1. A represenfative meTrhbership made up largely of the men and 
women of the farms scattered generally over the county, each paying 
a nominal membership fee (usually $1). 

2. A definite program of work based on the results of a careful 
study of the agricultural and home problems of the county. This 
program should be largely formulated and carried out by the mem- 
bers of the organization, with such assistance as may be necessary 
from the agents representing the organization, the State agricultural 
college, and the United States Department of Agriculture. (See 
p. 8.) 

3. An executive conimittee composed, of the four officers of the 
organization and about seven other members, each elected by the 
members of the organization at the annual,meeting. Each officer and 
committeeman should be selected because of special fitness to repre- 
sent and promote some important part of the county program of 
work or activity of the organization. Each should not only be will- 
ing to serve, but should have the necessary time to give to the work 
and be so located that the most effective service can be rendered. 



Representation on this committee is usually given to other strong 
county rural organizations, such as the grange, breeders' associations, 
county federation of home-economics clubs, etc. The detailed duties 
of this committee are noted on page 11. 

4. A commimit'i/ cominittee composed of a chairman and from one 
to about five other members well distributed in each distinct com- 
munity in the county. Each member should be selected because of 
special fitness to direct some important part of the community pro- 
gram. Therefore, the number of members should be determined by 
the number of projects or activities of the organization to be pro- 
moted in the community. Representation on a community committee 
is usually given to strong, active local organizations of the commu- 
nity, such as granges, equities, home-economics clubs, etc. The duties 
in detail of this committee are discussed more at length on page 13. 



: r^' 7 



I • 



"- — I 



..A_..--^------ 



\ 



I I 



• A 



V / 



/ 






Fig. 1. — Map of Blank County, showing distribution of farm-bureau committeemea. 
, (Organization, Food Conservation, Cooperative Purchiasing and Marlteting, Live Stock.) 

Large symbols — Executive committeemen (county project leaders). 
Small symbols — Community committeemen (community project leaders). 

Symbols for a complete county organization are given below. 

Executive Committee, composed of county Community Committee, composed of com- 



project leaders, as follows: 

\. Organization, relationships President -^ 

2. Farm and home records, labor Vice-Pres. Y 

3. Publications, publicity, meetings Sect'y ^| 

4. Finance, membership Treasurer -^J- 

5. Cooperative purchasing and marketing. .«. .. M 

6. Food conservation A 

7. Health and sanitation JL 

8. Live stock and dairying A 

9. Soils and crops mm 

Each community where a project is being promoted will have a representative on the 
county project committee, of which the county project leader is chairman. For example, 
the live stock committee Of Blank County is composed of the chairman (county live stock 
leader) and 6 other members (community project leaders). 



munity project leaders, for example: 

1. Organization, relationships Chairman -k 

2. Publicity, meetings, membership.. Secretary H 

3. Purchasing certified potato seed y 

4. Cow test association f^ 

5. Labor x 

6. Food conservation % 

7. Com demonstrations v 



5. County project committees automatically authorized through 
the adoption by the organization of definite projects or activities. 
(See fig. 1.) Each project or important activity will be represented 
by a county committee composed of the project leader on the execu- 
tive committee as chairman and the project leader on each community 
committee which has formally adopted the project or activity. For 
information in detail on county project committees, see page 16- 

DETAILS OF THE PLAN. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Membership in the farm bureau is open to all residents of the 
county and nonresident landowners who are directly interested in 
agriculture, men and women alike. The membership should be well 
distributed over the county and should be large enough to be 
thoroughly representative of the farmers of the county. At least 10 
per cent of the farmers should be members before permanent organi- 
zation is effected. At least 80 per cent of the membership should 
consist of bona fide farmers or rural residents. 

The membership fee is necessary not only to provide funds to 
finance the work of the organization but also to secure the active in- 
terest of each member. Membership fees are needed to buy sta- 
tionery, postage, office equipment and supplies, to publish exchange 
bulletins or other bureau publications, to pay the traveling expenses 
of the officers and committeemen to attend county, State, or National 
conferences, etc. If a clear-cut presentation of the facts regarding 
the nature of the organization, the duties and privileges of the mem- 
bers, and the work already accomplished and to be undertaken is 
made, no difficulty should be experienced in keeping up the member- 
ship from year to year. In some States yearly educational campaigns 
to acquaint the people of the counties with the nature of the bureaus 
and the work accomplished have produced a steady increase in the 
number of counties organized and in the number of members. The 
State of New York may be cited as an example. 



Growth of farm bureaus, State of New York, 


Mar. 1, 


19U, to Dec. 1, 


1917. 




Mar. 1, 
1914. 


Jan. 1, 
1915. 


Jan. 1, 
1916. 


Dec. 1, 
1916. 


Dec. 1, 
1917. 


Number of counties organized 


18 

2,620 

146 


23 

5,557 

242 


31 

9,995 

322 


36 

13,923 

387 


*47 


Total membership 


29, 781 


Average membership 


634 







Every member should give not only moral support to the work 
but also personal attention to some activity of the bureau. Each 
member should keep in close touch with the work in progress, assist 
in planning for the coming year, and participate in the election of 
the officers and executive committeemen. 



FARM-BUREAU PROGRAM OF WORK. 



Frequent reference is made throughout this circular to the farm- 
bureau program of work and to parts of this program usually 
called projects. A farm-bureau program of work is a plan for the 
promotion of certain definite lines of work that pertain to a better 
and more prosperous agriculture and a more satisfactory rural and 
home life. A farm-bureau project is a plan for developing some part 
of the program. For example, a dairy project might include plans 
for introducing pure-bred dairy cattle, increasing the number of silos, 
demonstrating better and more economical feeding, and improving 
the quality of butter made in the homes. Men, women, and boys and 
girls may cooperate in carrying out such a project. It is essential 
that each member, and more especially each committeeman, should 
play an important part in formulating the program and in promot- 
ing the projects or activities. The mechanics of planning and promot- 
ing the program and writing a project are outlined below. 

Development of the cownty program. — 1. In organizing a farm 
bureau at least one member of the temporary organization commit- 
tee, whose duty it is to direct th& organization campaign for the 
farm bureau, should be selected to look after the details of formu- 
lating a tentative county program of work. If a program including 
both agriculture and home economics is contemplated, a program of 
wc'ik committee of at least two members is desirable in order that 
problems more particularly relating to each phase of the program 
may be carefully analyzed. 

2. The program-of-work committee should send out a question- 
naire to each member of the farm bureau requesting suggestions as 
to the most important problems and how to solve them. 

3. The program-of-work committee should tabulate the answers to 
the questionnaires and secure additional information from the or- 
ganizer and the temporary committees, and by personal observation. 

4. The chairman of the program-of-work committee or the or- 
ganizer should lead the discussion at the county organization meet- 
ing and make a list of the problems on a blackboard. Such general 
headings as Farm, Home, and Community have sometimes been used. 

5. A tentative program of work should be planned at this meet- 
ing and project leaders selected to serve as members of the executive 
committee. The committee on nominations might well meet with the 
program-of-work committee in selecting project leaders. 

6. From the suggestions made at the annual meeting the executive 
committee should work out a definite yearly- program of work and 
refer projects to the project leaders to consider and develop the de- 
tails. County, home demonstration, and club agents should be 



selected with reference to their ability to assist in carrying out 
projects. 

7. The project leaders should work with the county and home dem- 
onstration agents and club leader in outlining the details of the 
projects. They should consider not only what should be undertaken, 
but xL'ho will do the work, how it will be done, u-^hen it will be done, 
and where (in which communities), it will be done. In considering 
what should be undertaken they should study the problems relating 
to the project more carefully than thej' have previously been studied, 
make a list of these problems, and prepare a chart showing the rela- 
tion of each project to the entire farm-bureau program of work. 
This will tend to prevent duplication of effort. In considering ivho 
will do the work they should make a list of the teaching forces of 
the county and locate them on an outline map of the county by 
communities. They should also list the amount of work the exten- 
sion specialists from the State agricultural college can render. In 
considering how the work will be done they should outline methods 
for starting the work, securing demonstrators and cooperators, and 
following up the work until definite results are obtained. In con- 
sidering where the work will be done they should indicate on the 
map those communities in which the work needs to be undertaken. 
In considering when the work will be done they should prepare a 
project calendar placing the months and weeks of the year across the 
top of a sheet of paper and the various parts of the project down the 
left-hand side of the sheet, and drawing lines to the right of each part 
of the project to indicate just how much time and at what periods the 
agents will need to spend on each part and the entire project. In 
planning the details of a project the recommendations of the college 
specialists should be carefully considered. Not only local problems, 
but also State and National problems should be carefully studied. 

8. The outline of each project, together with charts, maps, etc., 
will be presented by the project leader to the executive committee 
for consideration. The committee and the agents employed will 
discuss the projects and find out from the project calendars, charts, 
and maps whether too much or too little work is being undertaken 
during the year. In other words, the executive committee will now 
consider the entire program of work, just how it will be undertaken, 
by whom, where, and when. 

9. The county agent, the home-demonstration agent, or the county 
club leader will write the project. If the project involves work 
relating to two or all three of the agents,' each should write the part 
directly relating to his or her work, or the project should be con- 
sidered in conference and one agent delegated to write it. 

10. Each project should then be submitted to the project leader for 
signature, to the executive committee for approval and the signature 

820.^.^° — 19 2 



10 

of the president and the agent or agents concerned, and to the exten- 
sion director at the State agricultural college for his approval and 
for the consideration of any specialist or leader concerned. 

Development of the corrmmnity prograjrh. — It is very essential that 
each communit}^ have a definite program of work based largely on the 
county program. The agents and one or more executive commit- 
teemen should visit each community where work is to be undertaken 
and discuss plans with a group of community leaders, tentatively 
selected by the temporary community chairman. 

1. They should make a community map, locating on it the roads, 
churches, schoolhouses, farmers' organizations, and the houses of the 
farm-bureau members. 

2. They should make a list of all the farm families in the com- 
munity, all the teaching forces, etc. 

3. They should make a survey of the community problems, listing 
them under such headings as Farm, Home, and Community. 

4. They should plan a community program of work, based on the 
county program in so far as possible, but selecting additional projects 
as needed, since the problems of the community may differ from 
those in other communities. 

5. The president of the organization should appoint a project 
leader for each project in the community to serve as a member of 
the community committee. It is inadvisable to undertake a project 
in a community unless a capable project leader can be found who is 
willing to assume responsibility for the project. 

6. The community program of work will be presented to the peo- 
ple of the community by the community committee at the winter 
community meeting of the farm bureau and cooperators and demon- 
strators will be secured. 

Annual revision of fat'vi-hureau "program. — In order to keep the 
farm-bureau members interested in planning and carr}' ing out a pro- 
gram of work it is desirable to send out a questionnaire to the mem- 
bers each year, requesting suggestions as to desirable changes or addi- 
tions in the program of work. It is also desirable to discuss the 
program at meetings of the members in each community and at the 
annual meeting. The executive and community committees will 
need to carefully revise the county and community programs each 
year, as projects or parts of projects are completed, or as new prob- 
lems arise. They will, of course, use the suggestions of the members 
as a basis for any revision. As indicated, each county project leader 
may, at any time, call meetings of the project committee, composed 
of the various community leaders to secure suggestions or to explain 
plans. Usually these committees will be called together before a 
revision of the yearly program of work is undertaken. 



11 

The following outline may serve to suggest each step in the revision 
of the program : 

(1) October. — Regular monthly meeting of executive committee — ^make plans 

for meetings of county project committees and plans for sending ques- 
tionnaire to eacli farm-bureau member. 

(2) October. — Meetings of each community committee— consider local problems 

and suggestions of local members and make recommendations to project 
committees. 

(3) October. — Meetings of project committees — discuss recommendations of 

community coumiittees and suggest revision of projects. 

(4) November. — Regular monthly meeting of executive committee — ^prepare 

tentative program of work to present at annual meeting for consideration 
and discussion. 

(5) November .^Annual meeting of farm bureau — consider yearly program of 

work. 

(6) November. — Revision of projects by project leaders and agents. 

(7) December. — Regular montlily meeting of executive committee — adopt pro- 

gram. 

(8) December. — Revision of community programs by community committees. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of a farm bureau consist of a president, a vice presi- 
dent, a secretary, and a treasurer, all of whom should be elected at 
the annual meeting for a period of one year. The officers should be 
chosen because of special fitness to represent important projects or 
activities of the organization, as well as because of their fitness to 
l^erform the regular duties of the respective offices. For the most 
part the officers should be farm men and women. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

An executive committee of from 5 to about 11 members including 
the officers of the bureau as ex-officio members, should be elected by 
the bureau at its annual meeting for a period of one year. Each 
member may be called a county project leader. It is advisable to have 
an efficient nominating committee appointed at the annual meeting, 
in order that the names of members capable of effective service in 
planning and developing the projects or activities may be presented 
to the meeting (Fig. 2.) This committee may contain members sug- 
gested to the nominating committee by the official county board of 
commissioners or supervisors, the grange, the farmers' union, the 
equity, the farmers' clubs, farm women's clubs, cooperative associa- 
tions, county fair, schools, etc. 

The executive committee is usually selected so that practically all 
sections of the county will be represented, but in large counties with 
inadequate transportation facilities committeemen should be selected 
who can attend the regular (monthly) meetings conveniently. In 
the selection of a committeeman one of the chief objects should be to 
secure a man or woman whose qualifications and personal interest 



12 

fit him or her to plan and develop some one important line of work 
or activity of the bureau, such as farm-bureau organization, farm- 
bureau publications, meetings, exhibitions, finance, food-conserva- 
tion work, crop improvement, live-stock improvement, farm manage- 
ment, supplying farm labor, cooperation between farmers' clubs, de- 
velopment of better marketing facilities, etc. It is, therefore, evi- 
dent that the number of committeemen will depend on the number 
of projects or activities of the farm bureau. In order to prevent 
the committee from becoming too large and unwielclly, a committee- 
man may serve as the project leader for more than one project, espe- 
cially for projects of a similar character. 




Fi'j. IJ. --Executive committee of the Merrimack County ( N. II.) farm bureau dis- 
cussing the county program of work. 

Duties. — (1) Signs memoranda with State extension director. 

(2) Makes up financial budgets. 

(3) Secures necessary funds. 

(4) Authorizes the expenditure of the bureau's money. 

(5) Determines the policies of the bureau. 

(6) Considers and approves programs and projects recommended 
by the county project committees and by members of the organiza- 
tion. 

(7) Cooperates with the State agricultural college and the United 
States Department of Agi-iculture in the development of a program 
of work, the details of projects, and the employment of county agents, 



13 

home-demonstration agents, boys' and girls' club leaders, and other 
local extension workers nominated or approved by the State exten- 
sion director. 

COMMUNITY COMMITTEES. 

Local community leadership is essential to the success of the 
farm-bureau movement. Each distinct community in the county 
should have a community committee made up of at least one and 
preferably three to five local representatives or local leaders of the 
bureau. The number of committeemen will depend on the number 
of community projects or activities. 

Method of choosing. — Experience has indicated that until the farm 
bureau has become permanently established in the county and the 
qualifications of a community committeeman are understood by the 
majority of the members, it has been wise to have the president of 
the bureau select the community committeemen, each to direct some 
project or activity of the bureau in the community. The usual prac- 
tice has been for the president, in consultation with the cooperatively 
employed agents and local leaders and subject to the approval of the 
executive committee, to appoint the temporary chairman of the com- 
mittees. If the grange or other local club or organization is popular 
with the rural people in the community and is active in promoting 
the improvement of agricultural and home conditions, the officers 
of such organization may be consulted in regard to the appointment 
of a temporary chairman. The remainder of each community com- 
mittee has usually been appointed by the president on recommenda- 
tion of the temporary chairman, executive committeeman, or the 
agents, after a careful survey of community conditions to determine 
the chief problems needing immediate attention. Each committee- 
man should be selected to direct some important project or activity 
of the organization to be undertaken in the particular community, 
such as farm-bureau organization, home-economics demonstrations, 
boys' and girls' club work, food conservation, supplying farm labor 
and seeds, live-stock improvement, etc. Each has been called a com- 
munity project leader. 

Before community committeemen are appointed the temporary 
community chairman should hold a meeting of prospective com- 
mitteemen at his home at which the following steps are taken: A 
community map should be prepared; a more detailed survey of com- 
munity conditions made; projects selected and approved; a promise 
secured from each prospective committeeman to assume responsi- 
bility for a project or activity ; and a permanent chairman and pos- 
sibly a secretary chosen. Then the president should notify each com- 
mitteeman in writing of appointment for a period of one year. The 
appointment of each committeeman should have the approval of the 
executive committee. At the end of the year the president should 



14 

appoint committeemen to assume the leadership for the next year's 
projects. It is usually desirable to retain some of the previous year's 
committeemen for at least another year, in order that the personnel 
of the committee may not be entirely new. 

The plan of having all farm-bureau members assemble at a cen- 
tral point in the community for the purpose of studying community 
problems, planning a program of work, and selecting project leaders 
to be appointed by the president as committeeman, has been tried in 
a few counties. This plan has seemed to necessitate the attendance 
at each meeting of tlie president or an executive committeeman and 
one or more of the paid agents of the organization, in order that the 
policies of the organization may be clearly set forth. This plan has 
been more successful in counties where the farm bureau has been 
organized for some time and the work has become well established 
and understood by all the members. The farm bureau is primarily 
9 county and not a community organization ; therefore, from the out- 
set nothing should be done to give the wrong impression. The plan 
of having farm-bureau members assemble by communities to elect or 
select community committeemen has not been productive of the best 
results, and for the first year of the bureau's existence should not 
be encouraged. 

Meetings. — As many meetings of each community committee 
should be held as are needed to plan and execute the program of the 
community. The president of the bureau, accompanied by one or 
more of the agents, and, if necessary, by one or more of the county 
project leaders, should always attend the meeting of the committee 
at which it organizes for the year. Such officers, project leaders, and 
agents as are needed to assist in promoting the work in hand in the 
community should attend other meetings of the local committee. 
Meetings of the community committees should be encouraged when- 
ever work is to be discussed or undertaken even though the agents 
or county project leaders can not be present. This will tend to pro- 
mote the plan of having the local people take the initiative in matters 
pertaining to the community. It is unwise, however, to encourage 
chairmen to call a committee meeting unless there is need of such 
meeting. If any of the county leaders or agents have matters of 
unusual importance which they wish to present quickly to the com- 
munity committees, sectional meetings of several committees may be 
held, especially if the problems of the communities are similar. 

At least once a year each community committee should hold a 
business meeting to which the farm-bureau members residing in the 
community are invited. 

After a definite program of work has been formulated, and each 
community committeeman has agreed to assume responsibility for 



15 



some part of the program, fewer meetings will suffice. For instance, 
if the State or county leader of cooperative purchasing and market- 
ing work visits a community to promote the interests of such work, he 
will need to consult only with the community committeeman who 
heads some phase of this project in the community, unless it in- 
volves a decided change in. the community program, in which 
case it may be desirable for them to present the matter to the 
whole committee. The same would be true of other special lines 
of work, such as food-conservation w^ork, farm-management demon- 
strations, live-stock work, etc., whenever the county leaders on each 
line of work wish to promote the interests of particular projects in 
the community. 



' 




'A/OA/ 


ruu-t Li 








■ • 




C--V. 




J 


Ar- 


k ./ 






.^^flflp^- 




4 




^m ' ^J^in^^ 


i'^A 


k 




^^m 


^ 


'il 


1 


K : ILl^Hi 






.-...««|gl. 


m 




w ■ 


! 


^M^^^^^^^.«teffcMW 




] 


jgijp^- ^ '■ '^ 


M 


%^ 


l^- 


"^ 


HBflHHHHH|||gppH><<'*"*^' ^ 


■1 


^M' 




^ :■ 


m 


m 






m 


% 


fe ^ • *■ 


^^ 





Fig. 3. — Warner community committee of the Merrimack County (N, H.) farm bureau 
formulating and adopting a community program of work for the year. 

Duties. — (1) To determine and discuss local problems, to assist 
in the formation of a county program of work, and to adapt this pro- 
gram locally, thereby formulating a community program of work 
which eventually will solve the local problems. (Fig. 3.) 

(2) To secure for the community the desired community and in- 
dividual assistance in solving local problems by arranging for at 
least one winter meeting and one summer demonstration meeting and 
for a few definite field, barn, and home demonstrations. 

(3) To secure for the farm bureau the active support of the com- 
munity by informing the residents of its organization, purposes, 
and work; by arranging the details and advertising local meetings, 
demonstrations, etc. ; and by soliciting and securing memberships. 



16 

Privileges. — Community committeemen are the recognized leaders 
of the farm-bnreaii's work in the eommnnity. They are brought 
into frequent contact with the county project leaders, county agents, 
home-demonstration agents, boys' and girls' club leaders, and other 
extension workers and specialists. By helping others they help 
themselves in information, inspiration, and general development. 

COUNTY PROJECT COMMITTEES. 

As soon as a project is definitely adopted a county project com- 
mittee is automatically authorized for each project. Each project 
or important activity will be represented by a county committee com- 
posed of the project leader on the executive committee as chairman 
and the project leader on each of the community committees which 
has formally adopted the project or activity. 

Purpose, duties, and meetings. — To be most effective the executive 
committee should not contain as many members as would be required 
to give representation to each rural community. In order that every 
organized community may have direct representation in planning the 
county program of work and representing the policies of the or- 
ganization, meetings of the project committees should be called by 
their respective chairmen. Such meetings are desirable if the unity 
of the county organization is to be preserved. Usually at least one 
meeting of each committee should be held each year to discuss the 
recommendations made by the various community committees, and to 
recommend to the executive committee a yearly county program of 
work, or to suggest the making of such changes in the permanent 
program as may seem necessary. These recommendations will sup- 
plement those of the members made in the answers to the question- 
naires sent to each member requesting suggestions, or those made by 
the members at the annual meeting. The community project leaders 
should, of course, consider the suggestions in their respective com- 
munities before making definite recommendations. Additional meet- 
ings of project committees are desirable if important matters arise 
requiring their attention. Matters concerning only a few communi- 
ties in the county frequently arise, in which case only the project 
leaders representing those communities need to be called together. 
A luncheon is suggested as a desirable feature of at least one of the 
meetings of each project committee, or of a general meeting of all 
committeemen in the county. 

HOW TO ORGANIZE A COUNTY. 

LEADER OF ORGANIZATION CAMPAIGN. 

The assistance of a trained organizer to act as leader of the or- 
ganization campaign may be secured from the State agricultural 



17 

college by writing the State director of agricultural extension. 
Temporary headquarters should be provided for the organizer at 
the most centrally located place in the county, so that he may keep 
in close touch with the progress of the campaign in every community. 

APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY COUNTY ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE. 

The organizer will assist in the selection of a temporary county 
organization committee of about five members representing all sec- 
tions and all important agricultural and home interests in the 
county, if considered advisable a meeting of a few representative 
men and women from each community may be called to discuss the 
advisability of proceeding with (he organization campaign and to 
elect a temporary organization committee. Each committeeman 
should be elected because of special ability to direct a definite part of 
the preliminar}^ organization program, such as publicity, finance, 
programs for local and county organization meetings, program of 
work for the organization, constitution, and by-laws, etc. 

NEWSPAPER PUBLICITY. 

Plenty of good publicity matter, in the form of a series of several 
articles giving the advantages of organization in general, the his- 
tory of the farm-bureau movement, results of local extension work 
in neighboring counties, need of an organization to cooperate with 
the Government and the State in the employment of trained work- 
ers, plans for starting the work in this county, and the progress of 
the campaign, should be given to the local press at opportune times. 

MEETING OF COUNTY COMMITTEE. 

(1) The organizer should explain farm-bureau work carefully and 
suggest the organization plan. 

(2) He should secure the committee's approval of the plan and its 
help in working out the details to meet local conditions. 

. (3) The committee should decide on a definite date for the com- 
pletion of the membership campaign and the necessary number of 
members to be secured before that date. 

(4) The location of the temporary community committeemen may 
be indicated, as each is selected by the county committee on an out- 
line map of the county, showing the approximate community bound- 
aries. In considering prospective candidates for the community com- 
mittees their qualifications for effective 'service on the permanent 
community committees for the ensuing year, as well as for temporary 
service, should be discussed. In so far as possible the number of 
members to be secured in each community should be decided and in- 
dicated on the map. 



18 

(5) The county committeemen should give the organizer permis- 
sion to use their names in sending letters to local committees, in news- 
paper articles, etc. 

(6) Definite arrangements should be made with each member of 
the county committee to attend the meetings of the temporary com- 
munity committees where he can render the most service. 

(7) As far as possible, each county committeeman should under- 
stand his or her part of the preliminary organization program, such 
as publicity, finances, programs for local and county organization 
meetings, program of work for the organization, constitution and 
by-laws, etc. 

ORGANIZATION OF TEMPORARY COMMUNITY COMMITTEES. 

(1) Arrangements should be made by telephone with the pros- 
pective chairman of each community committee to hold a meeting 
of the committee at his home. Ask him to communicate with the 
other prospective committeemen, inviting them to attend the 
meeting. 

(2) These telephone calls should be supplemented by personal 
letters signed by one of the members of the county committee. It 
is best not to discuss the purpose of the meeting other than to sug- 
gest that advice is needed in determining matters of great interest 
to the farmers in the community. 

(3) The organizer, accompanied by the county committeeman 
who can be of most assistance in each community, should meet with 
each committee in its own community, or, if time does not permit, 
in a sectional meeting of the committees of several contiguous com- 
munities. 

(4) At this meeting the purpose of the organization and its re- 
lation to extension work, including work with farm men and women, 
and young people, and plans for organizing the county, should be 
explained carefully by means of charts, maps, and blackboard. 
Definite plans for the campaign in the community should be made 
and a definite promise to serve as committeemen during membership 
campaign secured from each prospective committeeman. 

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION MEETINGS. 

Following the committee meetings, an organization meeting 
should be held in each community at which the leader, and county 
and community committeemen, should explain county farm-bureau 
work and the importance of having a large percentage of the men 
and women of the farms to cooperate in its work as members of the 
farm bureau. During a recess the local committeemen, already pro- 
vided with membership cards and membership badges, sliould so- 
licit members. 



19 

FARM-TO-FARM ORGANIZATION CAMPAIGN. 

The local committeemen should then take the names of those not 
present at the meeting and arrange to visit each one personally on 
the farm, and, if possible, secure his membership. On the sugges- 
tion of the community committee the organization meeting may be 
omitted and only the farm-to-farm membership campaign be used. 

INVITATION TO COUNTY-WIDE ORGANIZATION MEETING. 

Invitations signed by one or more members of the county commit- 
tee should be sent to all members to attend the county-wide organiza- 
tion meeting. Each should be urged to invite all interested persons 
to accompany him. The letter should also contain an addressed re- 
turn postal card bearing the following questions : 

What do you want the farm bureau to do (1) for you or your 
farm? (2) for you in your home? (3) for your community? (4) for 
your county ? 

The answers to the questions should be tabulated by the program- 
of-work committee and used at the county meeting as a basis for 
discussing a county program of work. 

COUNTY-WIDE ORGANIZATION MEETING. 

(1) Several committeemen should line up outside the entrance to 
the meeting place to secure additional members. They should be well 
provided with badges, membership cards, receipts, etc. 

(2) A constitution and by-laws should be adopted. 

(3) A permanent program of work should be planned. 

(4) Officers and executive committeemen should be elected for a 
period of one year. (Each officer and committeemen should be 
elected because of special fitness to head some important project of 
the organization.) 

(5) Good music and at least one interesting speaker should be 
provided. 

DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENT COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 

Following the county organization meeting the permanent organi- 
zation should be perfected acording to the plan stated in this circular 
and the officers and committeemen carefully trained for effective 
service. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS. 

At succeeding meetings of the executive committee arrangements 
should be made for suitable office quarters and equipment, and co- 
operatively employed agents, such as a county agent, a home-demon- 
stration agent, a boys' and girls' club leader, etc., representing the 



20 

organization, the State agricultural college, and the United States 
Department of Agriculture should be engaged. Following the ar- 
rival of one or more of these agents in the county, the committee 
should formulate a definite program of work and arrangements 
should be perfected for the holding of community committee meet- 
ings for the purpose of formulating community programs of work. 
As fast as suitable community project leaders can be found, they 
should be appointed in writing by the president with the approval 
of the executive committee. 

ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS OF PERMANENT COMMUNITY COMMITTEES. 

At the first meeting of the prospective community committee in each 
community a community map should be made on which will be located 
the community center, schoolhouses, churches, farmers' organizations, 
roads, farm-bureau committeemen, and members. Community prob- 
lems should be studied and a community program of w^ork planned to 
solve these problems. Definite plans for winter and summer meet- 
ings should be made at this time or at a succeeding meeting of the 
committee. Charts showing the relationship the organization sus- 
tains to the State agricultural college and the United States De- 
partment of Agriculture and charts showing the organization of the 
farm bureau should be prepared. R-easons for membership in the 
organization should be considered and plans made for increasing it. 
(See Circular 3, Office of Extension Work North and West, States 
Relations Service, for a more detailed explanation of holding com- 
munity committee meetings, making community maps, etc.) 

PROJiSCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS. 

Chairmen of project committees should call meetings as needed to 
discuss matters relating to their projects, to make plans, etc. 

HOW TO EXPAND A FARM BUREAU HAVING ONLY AN AGRICUL- 
TURAL PROGRAM TO INCLUDE HOME DEMONSTRATION AND 
BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK. 

A meeting of the executive committee of the farm bureau should be 
called to consider the advisability of expanding the organization, and 
to appoint temporary executive committeemen to represent the home- 
demonstration work and boys' and girls' club work. The home-eco- 
nomics representative should be a prominent and influential country- 
woman of the county who seems well fitted to promote this phase of 
the work. The club representative may be the count}' superintendent 
of schools or other person interested in boys' and girls' club work. 
At the suggestion of the home-economics representative and of other 
interested people an influential countrywoman should be appointed 
in each community where home-economics work is to be promoted, as 



21 

a temporary member of the community committee. The same gen- 
eral plan should be followed in selecting a club representative in 
each community. The temporary executive committeeman for home- 
demonstracion work will call a meeting of the community represen- 
tatives on home economics to discuss the agricultural program and 
adapt as much of it to their own work as possible. Additional proj- 
ects may be selected and recommendations made to the executive 
committee for the appointment of additional project leaders to serve 
in a temporary capacity on the executive committee until the next 
annual meeting of the farm bureau. If deemed advisable, plans may 
also be made to conduct a campaign to increase the membership of 
women in the bureau. The plans should be submitted to the execu- 
tive committee for approval. The county campaign should be in 
charge of the executive committee of the bureau and the campaign in 
a community in charge of the community committee. Naturally the 
work will be largely delegated to the women members of the execu- 
tive and community committees. 

The county club representative should call a meeting of the com- 
munity club representatives to discuss the agricultural and home- 
economics program in order to determine what club work should be 
undertaken in the county. If the project leaders already at work 
are in sympathy with club work, no additional project leaders other 
than the temporary project leader need be selected. The club repre- 
sentative will look after the organization of clubs, calling on other 
project leaders for needed help. 

Each community committee should meet to consider the advis- 
ability of expanding the committee to include the other phases of 
the work. Probably not all communities will care to undertake the 
three lines of work the first year, but if additional projects are 
selected, names of additional community project leaders should be 
submitted to the president for appointment as members of the com- 
munity committees. The community committee should decide as to 
the advisability of promoting a membership campaign in the com- 
munity to increase the membership of the women of the community. 

At the next annual meeting of the farm bureau the constitution 
should be changed so it will cover the new phases of the work, one 
program of work adopted, and officers and committeemen selected, 
each to be responsible for some part of the program. 

ORGANIZATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE AT THE STATE 
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

Individuals or organizations interested in securing further in- 
formation or assistance in the organization of a farm bureau should 
write the extension director at the State agricultural college. He 



22 

will be able to furnish such material as sample constitutions, by-laws, 
membership cards, suggestions for and samples of farm-bureau 
papers and exchange lists, news articles giving accounts of the 
accomplishments of agricultural agents, home-demonstration agents, 
and boys' and girls' club leaders, etc. If sufficient interest is shown 
by the leading farm men and women of a county, the extension di- 
rector will be glad to send a trained farm-bureau organizer, who 
usually can spend several days in the county assisting local leaders 
in organization work. 



SUGGESTIVE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. 

Abticle I. Name. 

The name of this organization shall be County Farm Bureau. 

Aeticle II. Object, 

The objects of this organization shall be to promote the development of the 
most profitable and permanent system of agriculture, the most wholesome and 
satisfactory living conditions, the highest ideals in home and community life, 
and a genuine interest in the farm business and rural life. 

Article III. Program of Work. 

The objects of this organization shall be effected through the adoption and 
promotion of a definite program of work. This program shall be based on the 
results of a careful study of the agricultural and home-economics problems of 
the county. It shall be formulated and carried out by the members of the 
organization with the assistance of their agents and such specialists as may 
be available from the State agricultural college and the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture. 

Aeticle IV. Membership. 

Sec. 1. Membership. Any person interested in the object of this organi- 
zation may become a member by paying a membership fee of [one] dollar. At 
least 80 per cent of the membership shall consist of bona fide farmers or 
rural residents. 

Sec. 2. Fees and dues. A minimum annual fee of [one] dollar shall be 
charged for active membership in this organization, but there shall be no 
restrictions on the amount of such voluntary subscriptions that may be author- 
ized by the organization for special purposes. 

Article V. Officers. 

Sec. 1. The officers of this organization shall consist of a president, a vice- 
president, a secretary, and a treasurer, all of whom shall be elected for a period 
of one year by the members present at the annual meeting and shall serve until 
their successors shall be elected and qualify. The officers shall be chosen be- 
cause of special fitness to represent important project or activities of the or- 
ganization, as well as because of their fitness to perform the regular duties 
of their respective offices. 

Article VI. Executive Committee. 

Sec 1. The executive committee shall consist of the officers ex-officio and 
not more than [seven] other members, each chosen because of special fitness to 
represent an important project or activity of the organization, who shall be 
elected for a period of one year by the members present at the annual meet- 
ing to serve until their successors shall be elected and qualify. 

(23) 



24 

Abttcle VII. Community Committees. 

Sec. 1. The president of the organization, in consultation with recognized 
local community leaders or on recommendation of the members in each com- 
munity, and with the approval of the executive committee, shall appoint a 
chairman in each community in the county as determined by the executive 
committee. This chairman shall be appointed because of special ability to 
assume direction of all matters pertaining to the farm-bureau organization 
and to the relationship of the farm bureau to other rural organizations. Other 
community committeemen in each community shall be agreed upon jointly by 
the chairman and the executive committee and later appointed in writing by 
the president. Each member shall be appointed because of special fitness to 
represent an important project or activity of the organization in the com- 
munity. The number of committeemen in each community shall depend on 
the number of projects or activities undertaken in the community. At the 
first meeting of the committee a secretary may be elected. 

Article YIII. Countij Project Committees. 

►Sec. 1. The formation of county project committees is automatically au- 
thorized through the adoption of the executive committee of definite projects 
or activities. Each project or important activity will be represented by a county 
committee consisting of the project representative on the executive committee 
as chairman and the project representative on each community committee which 
has formally . adopted the project and when such representative has been 
officially appointed by the president of the organization. 

Article IX. — Duties of Officers and Committees. 

Sec. 1. President. The president shall perform such duties as usually per- 
tain to the office of president; shall have the power to fill such vacancies as 
may occur in any office or committee ; shall preside at all annual and special 
county meetings of the members and meetings of the executive committee ; 
shall, in conjunction with the secretary, make requisition on the treasurer for 
such sums of money as may be required for disbursement ; may call special meet- 
ings of the members of the organization or any of the committees whenever he 
deems it advisable; on the application of any 25 members of the organization, 
he shall call special meetings of the members of the organization ; shall ap- 
point community chairmen and other members of the community committee as 
hereinbefore provided for; and may appoint special committees provided such 
>vork can not be handled by the regularly constituted committees. 

Sec. 2. Vice president. The vice president shall perform the duties of the 
president in ca.se of his absence or disability. 

Sec. 3. Secretary. The secretary shall perform such duties as usually pertain 
to the office of secretary ; shall keep a record of all meetings (except public 
community and community committee meetings) and of the transactions of this 
organization ; shall give written notice of all meetings of the organization and 
its committees with the exception of community committee meetings ; and shall 
iu conjunction with the president make requisition on the treasurer for such 
sums of money as shall be required for disbursement. 

Sec. 4. Treasurer. The treasurer shall have charge of all funds of this 
organization ; shall deposit them in such bank as the executive committee shall 
direct ; shall, upon written requisition of the secretary countersigned by the 
president, draw all checks and vouchers for the disbursement of funds of this 
organization ; and shall make such reports and give such bond as the executive 
committee may direct. The cost of this bond shall be paid by the organization. 



25 

Sec. 5. Executive committee. Tlie executive committee shall transact the 
ordinary business of the organization and approve all contracts and bills. It 
shall have the power to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 
Stiite agricultural college and the United States Department of Agriculture for 
the purpose of hiring county agricultural and home demonstration agents, boys' 
and girls' club leaders, and other workers. It shall receive and verify the 
reports of officers and employees. It shall annually consider the recommenda- 
tions of the members and the community and county project committees and, 
with the assistance of the paid agents, shall develop, adopt, and pi'omote a 
county program of work. Each year it shall organize and direct the member- 
ship campaign. It shall perform such other functions as may be necessary for 
effectively carrying on the work of the organization. 

Sec. 6. Community committee. The community committees shall represent 
the organization in their respective communities. Such committee shall study 
the community problems, plan a community program of work, and assist in 
every possible way in promoting this program in the community. It shall 
secure all local cooperators and demonstrators, arrange for local meetings and 
demonstrations, and shall secure local memberships for the organization. Each 
committeeman shall become a member of a county project committee as here- 
inbefore provided for. 

Sec. 7. County project committees. The county project committees shall 
make specific written suggestions and recommendations to the executive com- 
mittee and shall advise with the chairman whenever important questions arise 
concerning the project. 

Article X, Remuneration. 

Sec. 1. All officers and committeemen shall serve without remuneration, but 
necessary traveling and hotel expenses of the executive committeemen may be 
authorized by a majority vote at the annual meeting. 

Article XI. Meetings. 

Sec. 1. Annual meetings. The annual meeting of the members of the organi- 
zation shall be held upon the date of the [November] monthly meeting of the 
executive committee. Special meetings may be called by the president when- 
ever necessary, and shall be called by him when demand is made in writing 
by any 25 members. 

Sec. 2. Executive committee. The executive committee shall hold regular 
meetings at such time and place as may be agreed upon by the committee. On 
the majority vote of the executive committee a regular meeting may be omitted 
or postponed. Special meetings may be called by the president when requested 
to do so by three members of the executive committee. 

Sec. 3. Community committees. The chairman of a community committee 
may call meetings of the committee at such times and places as may be advis- 
able. The secretary of the community committee shall notify all members of 
the committee. 

Sec. 4. County project committee. The president of the organization and 
the chairman may call meetings of the respective county project committees 
at such times and places as may be advisable by notifying all members of the 
respective committees. , 

Article XII. Quorum. 

Sec. 1. Ten per cent of the membership shall constitute a quorum for all 
meetings of the members of the organization. 

Sec. 2. Five members of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum 
for all members of the executive committee. 



26 

Article XIII. Order of Business. 

The order of business of this bureau shall be as follows : 

1. Call to order by the president. 

2. Reading minutes of previous meeting. 

3. Report of the secretary. 

4. Report of the treasurer and bills and accounts. 

5. Report and recommendations of the project leaders, agents, and club 
leaders. 

6. Reports of committees. (Also reports of officers at annual meetings.) 

7. Unfinished business, 

8. New business (and election of officers at annual meeting.) 

9. Adjournment. 

Article XIV. Amendments. 

Sec. 1. The constitution of this bureau may be altered or amended by a two- 
thirds vote of the members of the bureau present at any regular meeting or at 
a special meeting called at the request of 25 members, notice in writing of 
the proposed changes having been given to all members of the bureau at least 
one week previous to the time of the meeting. 

By-Laws. 

1. The annual dues shall be payable on January 1 of each year. 

2. Any member in arrears for dues after [April 1 of each year] shall no 
longer be entitled to the privileges of this organization, 

3. The president, with the approval of the executive committee, shall appoint 
a program-of-work committee and a nominating committee. The program-of- 
work committee shall consider the county problems and program of work and 
make suggestions to the executive committee and to the members at their an- 
nual meetings for the proposed additions or changes in the program of work. 
The nominating committee shall work with the program-of-work committee in 
order that nominations may be made at the time of the annual meeting for the 
election of officers and committeemen to represent the various projects or activi- 
ties of the organization. 

4. The executive committee shall hold meetings on the [first Saturday] of 
each month at [1 o'clock] in the farm-bureau office. 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1919 



UBRARY OF CONGRESS 




0002762^=145 



